Australia charges man for passing Ukrainian military intel to Russia

Australian police have charged a 27-year-old man of dual Russian-Australian citizenship for allegedly attempting to pass military intelligence to what he believed were Russian intelligence operatives. The suspect traveled to Russia for training in October 2024, but returned to Australia where he allegedly remained in contact with individuals he thought were linked to Russia's intelligence services.

According to Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett, the man claimed he enlisted in the Ukrainian military in May 2025, where he obtained sensitive information about their personnel, units, and locations. Barrett warned that the suspect shared this information with what he believed were Russian intelligence agents, putting the safety of Ukrainian military personnel at risk.

The suspect's identity remains undisclosed, and he is currently unemployed. Police executed search warrants and stated there is no indication the man received military training in Australia. The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation is also involved in the investigation. ASIO Deputy Director-General Claire McGuinness stated that such cases serve as a warning to regimes engaging in foreign interference, emphasizing that zero tolerance is maintained.

Russia's embassy in Australia denied any prior knowledge of the case, noting that no official requests or notifications have been received. Meanwhile, Russian authorities have apprehended nine individuals and charged them with working for Ukrainian intelligence. These suspects allegedly possessed 35 drones equipped with explosives, intended for an attack on a strategic defense enterprise in the Moscow region.

Additionally, a foreign national was detained near the Norwegian border, accused of attempting to launch a surveillance drone over Moscow to assist Ukrainian intelligence in plotting an attack on the Russian capital. The FSB security service stated that the individual tried to flee to Norway on foot.